Use the proven U.S. Navy tape measure method to calculate your exact body fat percentage. Go beyond BMI and find out how much of your weight is lean muscle mass vs. fat mass.
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Why Body Fat Percentage Matters
When people say they want to "lose weight," what they almost always mean is that they want to "lose fat." Traditional scales cannot differentiate between water, muscle, and adipose tissue (fat). Monitoring your body fat percentage ensures you are retaining your hard-earned muscle while burning fat.
Body Fat Categories for Men
Description
Percentage
Essential Fat
2-5%
Athletes
6-13%
Fitness
14-17%
Average
18-24%
Obese
25%+
Body Fat Categories for Women
Description
Percentage
Essential Fat
10-13%
Athletes
14-20%
Fitness
21-24%
Average
25-31%
Obese
32%+
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the US Navy Body Fat Calculator?
The U.S. Navy tape measure method is considered highly accurate, typically falling within 1-3% of clinical measurements like DEXA scans or hydrostatic weighing. It is the most robust way to measure body composition without expensive medical equipment.
What is a healthy body fat percentage?
Healthy ranges depend on biological gender. For men, 10-17% is considered fit to average, while above 25% is classified as obese. For women, 20-27% is considered fit to average, with above 32% classified as obese, due to naturally higher essential fat.
Why do women need more body fat than men?
Women have higher "essential body fat" levels (around 10-13% compared to 2-5% for men) necessary for reproductive health, hormone production, and the protection of internal organs.
Is Body Fat better than BMI?
Yes. BMI only compares your height vs. your weight. It frequently misclassifies muscular people as "overweight" or "obese." Body fat percentage directly measures fat tissue vs lean tissue, making it a far superior metric for health and fitness.